MOVING FORWARD — The Jefferson County Commission agreed Wednesday to proceed with the transfer to Youngstown State University of property formerly occupied by Eastern Gateway Community College and to hire an appraiser for other property at the site eyed for commercial development. -- Warren Scott

STEUBENVILLE — The Jefferson County Commissioners agreed Wednesday to transfer to Youngstown State University property once occupied by Eastern Gateway Community College.

The commissioners also agreed to hire the Charles G. Snyder Co. of New Philadelphia to appraise former EGCC property that will remain in the county’s hands.

That property includes the large parking lot at the corner of John Scott Highway and Sunset Boulevard once used for truck driver training and a stretch of land extending from the lot to the Applebee’s property.

A 57-year-old reverter clause in the college property’s deed called for it to be returned to the county’s control should it no longer be used for educational purposes.

At a special session last week, the YSU board of trustees agreed to accept the title to the roughly 180,000-square-foot building, its furnishings and equipment, and 12.95 acres on the former EGCC campus.

Following the meeting, county Commissioner Tony Morelli said the board is hopeful the transfer to YSU will be finalized next month.

He said YSU officials have indicated a desire to offer classes there in the spring.

Morelli said representatives of the national Chik-fil-A restaurant chain continue to express interest in the corner lot.

He noted the commissioners are legally required to accept proposals from others for the property and are expected to advertise for such pitches after Jan. 1.

Morelli said Shawn Blake, assistant Jefferson County prosecutor and the board’s legal counsel, will be involved in the advertisement.

The commission met in separate executive sessions with Blake and Robert Naylor, executive director of the Jefferson County Port Authority — the county’s lead economic development agency — before approving the two actions.

In other business, the commission:

• Heard from Aidan Sammut and Aaron Dodds of the Jefferson County Soil and Water Conservation District, who reported donations of materials have been pledged by the Weirton Lumber Co., Denoon Lumber Co., Cardello Lighting and Electric Supply and Franciscan University of Steubenville’s plant services department for the bicentennial display planned for the county courthouse’s lobby.

The materials include wood, glass and lighting for a display case that will be 8 feet tall and 12 feet wide.

Plans call for the display to highlight various aspects of the county’s history through the last 250 years, with changes made on a monthly basis.

Dodds said while the display was prompted by the nation’s upcoming semiquincentennial, it could remain in use after 2026.

He acknowledged, when the project was first proposed, there were concerns about the cost.

But Dodds said since then, “We really saw the community stepping up.”

The commission applauded the four donors for their support and Dodds and Sammut for their efforts to secure the donations.

Morelli said, “I’ve gotten more comments on this since it hit the paper than anything in a long time.”

• Agreed to allocate $5,000 from the county’s oil and gas fund for freeze-dried meals to be distributed by the United Way of Jefferson County through the Meals of Hope program.

Marci Snyder-Crawford, executive director of the nonprofit organization, said the donation and others will allow volunteers to assemble thousands of meals for distribution to area food pantries.

• Approved health insurance coverage for about 450 full-time employees through the Health Plan of the Upper Ohio Valley and AetnaHealth that will involve a monthly increase in co-pays of $57 for single plans and $100 for family plans while the county’s contribution, as employer, would increase $520 per month.

County Commissioner Eric Timmons, who headed a committee of county employees in weighing coverage options, said it will be the first time in five years that co-pays have been raised while employees will continue to receive quality coverage.

• Bid farewell to Mike Eroshevich on his last day as director of the county’s water and sewer district, a position he’s held for 11 years of his 14 years with the district.

Morelli told him, “It’s a tough job. You did a very good job with the budget we have. I think you handled it well.”

Timmons agreed that Eroshevich worked well with the resources he was provided.

And, county Commissioner Jake Kleineke told him, “As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t get to work with you long enough.”

Eroshevich expressed thanks to the commissioners and the panel of county commissioners who had hired him.

Jonathan Sgalla, who has served as assistant director under Eroshevich, has been selected to fill his position.